Psalm 1:1-3

Psa 1:1-3
(1) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
(2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
(3) He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.


When we look at this Psalm, it can be easily read and applied to life. Let’s look at the meat of it.

First the beginning of verse 1:

Blessed--Happy like an interjection showing strong feeling.

Adam Clarke makes the comment regarding this:

"1. God made man for happiness.
2. Every man feels a desire to be happy.
3. All human beings abhor misery.
4. Happiness is the grand object of pursuit among all men.
5. But so perverted is the human heart, that it seeks happiness where it cannot be found; and in things which are naturally and morally unfit to communicate it.
6. The true way of obtaining it is here laid down."

Clark’s last point says here is the way to obtain happiness as pointed out in this Psalm.
There are 3 progressions for the man to be happy by NOT doing. These are

1. Walking in the counsel of the wicked. Does not follow the advice of those who are morally wrong--those who have not found their salvation in Christ and choose to follow their own way.
2. Standing in the way of sinners. The way meaning their course of life and standing to dwell, be employed, abide and sinners those who have missed the mark, person who is not only morally wrong, but chose to act on it.
3. Finally, sitting in the seat of scoffers. The scoffer is one who has scorned religion. Who does everything he can to dissolve any morality in society.

See the progression here, not only in the physical aspect of walking, standing and sitting, but also of the people.
Here is what Adam Clarke states:

"The ungodly man is unconcerned about religion; he is neither zealous for his own salvation, nor for that of others: and he counsels and advises those with whom he converses to adopt his plan, and not trouble themselves about praying, reading, repenting, etc., etc. there is no need for such things; live an honest life, make no fuss about religion, and you will fare well enough at last. Now, “blessed is the man who walks not in this man’s counsel;” who does not come into his measures, nor act according to his plan.
The sinner has his particular way of transgressing; one is a drunkard, another dishonest, another unclean. Few are given to every species of vice. There are many covetous men who abhor drunkenness; many drunkards who abhor covetousness; and so of others. Each has his easily besetting sin; therefore, says the prophet, let the wicked forsake His Way. Now, blessed is he who stands not in such a man’s Way.
The scorner has brought, in reference to himself, all religion and moral feeling to an end. He has sat down - is utterly confirmed in impiety, and makes a mock at sin. His conscience is seared; and he is a believer in all unbelief. Now, blessed is the man who sits not down in his Seat.
See the correspondent relations in this account.
1. He who walks according to the counsel of the ungodly will soon,
2. Stand to look on the way of sinners; and thus, being off his guard, he will soon be a partaker in their evil deeds.
3. He who has abandoned himself to transgression will, in all probability, soon become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin; and sit down with the scorner, and endeavor to turn religion into ridicule."

The neat thing about this Psalm though, it doesn’t leave you there. In verse 2 is says
BUT His delight is in the law of the Lord and on his Law he meditates day and night.
First it tells what not to do, and now what to do to be happy.
Delight here is a desire, a pleasure. He takes great pleasure in the law of the Lord, he desires it. What does he desire? The statutes of God that produce in him a holy life. Not just something he haphazardly seeks after but something he pursues like a job, both day and night. Not only in the daylight, but also in the night. Not just when things are going great, but when the adversity comes. He doesn’t just seek, but also meditates on. Ponders how it applies to his situation, speaks it out loud, thinks about it.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The word becomes a sword in his spirit showing him his own heart, and making it new and giving him direction.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Not only is the tree planted but transplanted. Not just beside a river, but this is reference to an irrigation canal. A place where there is always water to provide proper growth. It is cultivated, pruned, fertilized. When this happens, it yields fruit when the time comes, not if but when it will produce fruit. The leaf itself is important to a tree. It is where photosynthesis takes place when exposed to the sun. That leaf does not wither because of the available water and the tree continues to grow.
In all that he does, he prospers. What is the purpose of what he does? To glorify God and he prospers at it.

So, meditation and delight in the word allows God to transplant us from the wild and place us in His garden to be watered and tended by His loving hand with the end result glorifying Him by our fruit and growth.